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Connor Swanson 

Major: Mechanical Engineering ’17 Position: Data Scientist at STRIVIN

Gabe Rodriguez

Connor Swanson, Mechanical Engineering ’17, decided to pursue graduate school for Data Science shortly after graduating from CU. He now works as a Data Scientist at the company, STRIVIN. Swanson said going into a different field for graduate school was challenging but he was happy to find a way to combine engineering, computer science, and business into a career path. “[Graduate school] introduced me to the core Computer Science skills and topics I needed to transition into tech,” Swanson said.

Swanson’s main tip for graduates of engineering school was to not stress too much about being unsure about what you want to do. “Most industries are happy to hire engineers as long as you can frame your background and skills in a way that can help their business,” Swanson said.

Gustavo Adrianzen 

Major: Civil Engineering ‘17 Position: Field Engineer at Kraemer North America

Amy Santoso

Gustavo Adrianzen, Civil Engineering ’19, is a Field Engineer for Kraemer North America. After graduation, Adrianzen worked at Shimmick Construction in Huntington Beach, Calif. as a Structural Engineer. At the end of 2019, Adrianzen returned to Colorado to start work at Kraemer. 

In California, Adrianzen worked primarily in construction management and structural assessment, but in Colorado, he shifted his focus to highways and bridges, which better suited his interest. His current project is the expansion and reconstruction of I-25 South Gap highway from Castle Rock, Colo. to Monument, Colo.

“I love the [field] I currently work in and [will] pursue this area as much as I can.” Adrianzen starts his day by meeting the foremen at 6 a.m., followed by supervising the structural section of the project. The remainder of the morning he reserves for several meetings, in addition to activity planning and inspecting shop drawings. 

Adrianzen said that engineering enabled him to pursue projects specializing in horizontal structures, such as highways, bridges, and airports. Throughout his last two years of college, Adrianzen maximized the number of courses he took in his field of interest, including especially Structural Analysis and Transportation Systems. Adrianzen said that his coursework was particularly useful for cultivating his technical expertise.

One of the changes for Adrianzen after graduating was adapting to business hours. In college, he was able to find time for various extracurricular activities. His new schedule as an industry professional, by contrast, was not so forgiving. 

“Sleeping early is [a priority], unlike college [depending] on [the time of] your first class,” Adrianzen said. 

As an international student from Peru, Adrianzen said one of his challenges was to wait for the approval of his OPT (Optional Practical Training), which is required for him to work in the United States. OPT takes over three months to process, and Adrianzen said that during that period, he struggled financially, especially since his parents were unable to loan him any money. 

Adrianzen encourages current engineering students  to pursue areas they’re interested in, regardless of competitiveness or difficulty. He believes that students should utilize available resources and opportunities, including classes, internships, and research. 

“It is just a matter [of contacting] a professor and they will advise you the best way possible.” “One thing that you will definitely regret is not choosing a job in your area of interest. Money and comfort can come later, but working in what you are genuinely passionate [about] is indescribable.”

Flor Gordivas 

Major: Electrical & Computer Engineering ’17 Position: Software Engineering Tech Lead at Lockheed Martin Space

Israel Miles

Flor Gordivas, Electrical and Computer Engineering ‘17, went on to become a Software Engineering Tech Lead at Lockheed Martin Space. Initially being hired by Lockheed as an Associate Software Engineer, Gordivas was quickly promoted to a position as Tech Lead. “I was fortunate enough to have accepted a position prior to graduating so most of the transition to the workplace was straightforward,” said Gordivas. “Perhaps the largest challenge was anxiety. Thinking about my career and how I wanted to navigate my new life brought on unexpected anxieties that I had not experienced before.”

Despite feeling anxious during the shift from academia to the workforce, Gordivas drew inspiration from her deep passion for space. “The idea of space and space exploration had been on my mind since my freshman year of college,” said Gordivas. “I knew I wanted to go into the aerospace industry after participating in the Colorado Space Grant. Going to Lockheed Martin Space was the right choice for that career path.”

Gordivas accredits much of her ability to problem solve in addition to her coding skills to the classes she took at CU. She encourages students to take advantage of the opportunities that a college education provides. “Engineers are creative problem solvers and any job that keeps your mind moving is worth a try,” said Gordivas. “Just like experimenting with classes during college, experimenting in your career is also welcomed. Try different types of jobs within one company or several companies. Just be sure to make the best of every experience and keep your network open.”